Commercial Division Blog: Current Developments in the Commercial Divisions of the New York State Courts

You searched for: "Attorney-Client Privilege"

Search Results

May 17, 2024 Privilege Waived Where Client’s Father Passed Messages Between Incarcerated Client and His Attorneys
On April 7, 2024, Justice Andrea Masley granted a petitioner’s motion to compel the production of communications from the law firm Hecht Partners, LLP in response to the petitioner’s judgment-enforcement subpoena. In TGT, LLC v. Joseph Meli, et al., Index No. 153682/2023, petitioner TGT, LLC sought communications between the law firm and its then-client, Joseph Meli, during a period when Meli had been incarcerated. Meli had relied on his father to communicate back-and-forth with the law firm. The Court rejected the law firm’s assertion of attorney-client privilege and the common interest exception, holding that the participation of Meli’s father in the communications had waived any privilege. The Court explained: Read More
February 21, 2024 Court Grants In Camera Review of Documents Despite Referee’s Decision, Noting Review is Standard Practice in Commercial Division
On January 20, 2024, Justice Andrea Masley granted a motion requesting in camera review of documents even after a discovery referee had declined to perform an in camera review. The decision in CWCapital Cobalt VR Ltd. v. CWCapital Investments LLC, et al., Index No. 653277/2018, vacated the referee’s order and allowed for in camera review of 35 emails exchanged between lawyers and nonlawyers over which the defendants had claimed attorney-client privilege. In granting the motion, Justice Masley indicated that in camera review has become common practice in the Commercial Division. The Court explained: Read More